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MyspaceBabatunde Folayemi, tireless and eloquent advocate for youth and former Santa Barbara city councilmember, has died. He was 71.
Folayemi appears to have had a heart attack on Wednesday morning, March 28, while sitting in his living room. His wife, Akivah Northern, said he looked like he had peacefully fallen asleep. He had just brought her some fruit while she was preparing to deliver a sermon at her church.
Folayemi served on the S.B. City Council from 2002 to 2004, and on numerous nonprofit boards. In recent months, Folayami, an artist, had devoted himself to painting.
He is survived by his wife and his son, Cinque Northern, a filmmaker in New York City. The public will be invited to a celebration of his life.
Upon learning of his death, Mayor Helene Schneider ordered the flag in front of City Hall to be lowered in Folayemi’s honor.
UPDATE: There will be a candlelight vigil for Babatunde at 7 p.m. on Sunday, April 1, 2012, at the Chumash Mosaic on the beach side of Cabrillo Blvd. west of the Dolphin Fountain.
(This is in addition to the formal memorial service being planned by Babatunde’s family, details to come.)
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Comments
Rest in Peace. You were a kind man with a commitment to community.
BeachFan (anonymous profile)
March 29, 2012 at 3:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Baba you were my mentor and believed in me when not many others would. Thank You for inspiring me to follow my dreams and being there for me during the hardest time in my career, when others just turned their back. Your love and dedication touched the lives of so many of us. Your contagious smile always made everything better. Your spirit lives forever. In my heart you will always remain. Te quiero mucho! Rest in peace.
superxicana (anonymous profile)
March 29, 2012 at 4:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Such a kind man with a passion for this town and its citizens. He was one of a kind - he will be missed dearly. Sincere condolences to his family on their loss.
MediaPro (anonymous profile)
March 29, 2012 at 5:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Babatunde you were always there for me. We didn't just talk to each other - it was soul-to-soul. I'll miss you so much!
residentsb (anonymous profile)
March 29, 2012 at 5:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
A gentle soul...
ahem (anonymous profile)
March 30, 2012 at 12:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What a huge, huge loss. I will miss him. I cannot begin to imagine how awful this is for his family. Gentle journey, Baba.
Holly (anonymous profile)
March 30, 2012 at 12:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Babatunde was a fighter for justice and had alot of love for La Raza, in many's eyes he is an adopted Latino. He supported so many of us. The Independent would show you a campaign video but watch this video and youll see the real Babatunde in action. He was against the proposed gang injunction and any other form of racial profiling or discrimination. We love you Baba que Dios te bendiga. We will never forget!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDzbJW...
SBunited4justice (anonymous profile)
March 30, 2012 at 7:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
So sorry to lose such a wonderful advocate for children and others. There are too few like Babatunde. He practically raised the Teen Center by himself. Sounds like he went peacefully and quietly, which is how he lived. A gentle nature, a soft-spoken intelligence. Such a charismatic man. It was a pleasure to have known and occasionally worked with him. He will be missed.
shelleyeight (anonymous profile)
March 30, 2012 at 8:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Babatunde was a friend and mentor to me as a young peace activist. I first met him when he spoke at my high school, then worked with him years later. I was just telling a story about him to a friend the other day. I will miss him terribly.
sstormoen (anonymous profile)
March 30, 2012 at 11:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Babatunde will indeed be missed. He embodied selfless civil service, not the political hucksterism currently being waged on the American people by two utterly out of control parties whose only interest is SELF.
Thank you for your service, Babatunde.
Journey well.
Draxor (anonymous profile)
March 30, 2012 at 5:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
RIP Babatunde. A great spirit and tireless advocate for the betterment of humanity.
bloggulator (anonymous profile)
March 30, 2012 at 9:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
My brother, my partner, it was he who first showed me that change was possible on the Santa Barbara plantation. I am enriched and ennobled by having him in my life.
My work has me traveling around the state, and if at all possible I will be in SB to celebrate his life, love and work.
In loving memory of his name and light, blessings on one and all.
Armando
yanieto (anonymous profile)
March 31, 2012 at 1:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)